Last Minute Post #2 Before I Shut the Computer OFF!

I had meant for the blog regarding 'saying Good-Bye' to China to be the last one written. Then the phone rang and Susie wanted to deliver the CD of photos from Hannah's county prior to our departure. I am so grateful to have these for her someday. It is very sobering to see.

It really does look like there was much hardship there. Oh, MY!

Well, we're off to bed. We leave for the airport in less than 8 hours.

judy

A Last Minute Post Before I Shut the Computer OFF!

Tonight 'Susie' phoned. Remember she was the lady who had given all the girls braclets from SuiXi County where Hannah is from. I had asked her for photos. She burned them on a CD and sent them over. I'll put on ten on the blog. This way you can also see the reality that she would have known. Click on any photos that you want to enlarge.

Last Night in China Photos! (another entry for today!)

We're On Our Way Home!

`Very Soon We Must Say Good-Bye To China` `How Very Grateful We Are to Know This Land A Little Better`

Our bags are packed.

The long journey home begins.

So much has happened in 15 days ~ altering us at our very core.

It might sound silly/strange but there is a part of me that is enormously sad that this is my LAST entry! Brent's colleague (also named Brent) posted a comment on the blog. His eloquence in explaining my /our sadness at times explains best what I am experiencing right now. For those who didn't read it, I'll post a portion of it here (hope that is o.k. w/ you, Brent)

"I think my favorite entry was when you talked about the sadness you felt during those moments you received Hannah. I can relate to that, and it is a mysterious feeling that draws from deep within. You have vested so much emotion in this moment that when it finally comes somehow the love also translates to sadness. It reminds me of the feeling one encounters having climbed to the summit of a beautiful mountain, and amidst the grandeur of reaching that high ambition and experiencing the wonderful gift before you there also exists a sorrow from also realizing that the journey is over and something new must come about."

It has been a wonderful journey! So, as we make our way back home, we await those new things that 'must come about'.

From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for reading, responding, and wishing us well. I/we would have felt very isolated if we would have not had support and love from back home. What a wonderful gift technology is ~ bridging worlds, really.

Anyway, it has meant more to me than I could ever convey that you have stayed w/ us through these two weeks.

There are times in our lives which we will carry with us forever.

This is one of them.

Much love to all of you!

Again, sincere thanks!

Or, as the Chinese appear to be saying 'she-she'

The Steurys

Observations and Possible Answers As To Why?

Hannah and her little friend! Ya gotta wonder what they're thinking!
More friends headed together to the States!
The gal cupping her face was adopted by a family in New England 3 years ago. They returned for her little sister (seated to the right.) Her sister was part of the special needs program. Special needs in China is defined as anything from heart conditions, to cleft palate, to albinism, even to the age of the child!

These two sisters were adopted out together. Their story is touching. Their father was killed in a traffic accident. Sadly their mother commited suicide. Grandparents up until recently cared for them. However, they were given to the orphanage last year. Thankfully they have a family from the States who are AWESOME and have high school children themselves. They are thrilled (as you can imagine) to be together. The boy on the right is name Tye. He has a heart condition & is also considered special needs.

This morning 30 children with their forever families converged on the grand hotel lobby. We sat on the marble staircase framed by orchids. It was our Kodak moment. (Signal to all familiar w/ international adoption that we are almost at the finish line---next stop---HOME)

The girls were dolled up in traditional Chinese dresses. The boys,too, clad in traditional garb. (Note the blond haired one sporting the Confucian style p.j.'s Yes, that would be Ian. You put these silks on him and he morphs into a kung-fu master. Back off, Jackie Chan!! By the way, Ian, 'put your sister down...head locks and kung-fu chops are NOT signs of LOVE'.)

Hotel guests seemed amused (o.k. some annoyed) as they watched the giddy eyed parents snap their photos. Oohs & ahhs could be heard (from the parents, that is). Remember, we are staying at the Guangzhou Garden Marriott---guest profile businessmen and less than adventurous traveler.....so, they might have been thinking....gads, of all the days to be in Guangzhou....30 kids running around---not disciplined yet as the new parents are too glossy eyed to care that their kids are trashing this place, ha! You should see the breakfast buffet after we all finish dining. Another, ha!!

I try to envision what this scene would look like if the tables were turned. What if it were the Chinese descending upon America en masse? Chinese coming by the thousands to adopt western children? What would their group photo look like? Would they bedeck those kids in pilgrim garb? Would they 'feel' obliged to wave the American flag and play our National Anthem?

On the one had, (I tell myself) you can't blame us trying to pay tribute to a land that has given us what we most wanted (in my case, a girl). Plus, we're here because we are Asia-philes. We could be in Russia or Guatemala or any of the multitude of nations who adopt in particularly high volume to Europeans and North Americans.

Some have commented here that it's curious that we'd travel so far for children. (As a side note---on my last work trip to Germany several weeks ago---our driver asked me w/ total seriousness, "Judy vye do you go to Cheena? Are zher no cheel-DRUHN in America?"----you might be wondering the same. ha!)

I suppose one reason 'we' (meaning here me/I) have purchased the dresses & shoes, the souvenirs, trinkets, etc. is that I'm trying to capture a piece of Hannah's past that quite frankly I know nothing about. (We're seeking a certain piece/or would that be peace?? You decide!)It's an attempt to fill a void that could/might exist for her later. (And, that quite honestly exists for me now.)

Several Chinese have queried as to why we are so 'old' and so 'big'. I was tempted to ask if they were specifically referencing me or just a 'general' observation about those they see. ha!

I watched the staff & guests watch us. I wondered what they were thinking. I can't totally believe that they feel the warm fuzzies we do. There were 90 of us swarming the place. That number alone would be irritating (if this was your day to work the front desk, that is)! Remember, it is here that we are the foreign ones!

I've attempted to ask how the Chinese really see this throng of foreigners descending on China to adopt. The answers are as varied as the people asked. If the moment seemed right & the person seemed the type to share, I posed the question. Most seemed shocked that I really wanted to know. I realize I've used the verb 'seemed' three times...but I just can't/couldn't know for certain.

Some of the answers given were scripted/courteous/nice. Most bewildered. Several irked.....not at me per se but at what this entire exchange/business/form of philanthropy/acquisition (I don't even know all the words that people could use to describe how they see it.) For me, it's just simply longing for a larger family.

You have to understand that the name for China suggests that they understand themselves to be at the center of the world. China = Zhongguo in Mandarin Chinese (Simplified: 中国, Traditional: 中國, which is usually translated as "Middle Kingdom." The first character Zhong (中) means "middle" or "center" while guo (国 or 國) means "country" or "kingdom".

You know how wall maps in the US will invariably show the US at the center of the world and circumferencing us are all the other countries of the world? Well, if that same map were in hanging here it would be CHINA and not the US in that center position.

For 16 years with Delta, I've passed the time on flights observing people; their gestures, expressions, their smell (YES, THEIR SMELL), their humor. (And you thought flight attendants were just focusing on your beverage of choice!) You name it, flight attendants have trained themselves to spot it---on a crowded plane, that is!

Yet, here in China, I can't totally read the people. I don't know their history well enough nor understand their beliefs/perceptions/prejudices deeply enough to interpret what they could be thinking when they see foreigners adopting here. Maybe in the end it doesn't really matter.

Anyway, I wanted you to be apart of this grand finale day!!!! I wanted you to get a 'feel' for what the lobby was like....the chattering and laughter, the clicking of the cameras and so on.

Thanks for checking in. I have absolutely loved this blog...it's been a catharsis for me.

We go to the U.S. Consulate today at 3:00 to pick up Hannah Mei's visa. How exciting!

Qing Ping Market photos (entry #3 for today!)

You really do see photos of Mao in restaurants, businesses & even in village homes (see Brent's blog ). This astounded me. Brent said that 80+ year old woman in the countryside had one on her wall in her home and then when she pulled back the curtains overhanging her bed ---one hung over the pillow area!

Traffic jam
Lady selling fruit from her bike.

Can you really blame me if I said I've dined at McDonalds here?

Qing Ping Market photos (entry #2 for today!)

Dried fruits!

It's amazing that we had no idea what was being sold!! I enjoy adventure---but sampling items here just seemed to be too much fun for one day!
The people who clean the streets wear large hats & long sleeves to cover their skin. They often wear face masks.
This man was making mailboxes as and older gentleman sat.

Mushrooms galore!

Qing Ping Market--Dried Beetles Anyone?

Just outside the Qing Ping Market was a sight to behold. Ladies were having the hair on their faces & eye brows removed by these ladies using string. It was fascinating to watch.....could this be what we'd term a 'string facial'? ha-ha!
At the Qing Ping Market there were eggs of all sorts together with salted fish and spices. How shall I describe some of the smells? Hmm....would a cross between dirty socks and fish mean anything to you?













Mushrooms--the variety was mind boggling! They were next to a stand selling dried beetles, centipedes. and snake skins. Geeze, it's like these people will ingest anything.





The fresh fruits were abundant & delicious. We did sample some fruit.












We waited in our room until 12 noon
for our call regarding our visa for Hannah. We've now been scheduled to attend an oath taking ceremony regarding our intentions to bring her to the United States. We go to the US Consulate here in Guangzhou tomorrow at 3:00 pm.


Once our wait was over regarding the visa, we hailed a cab and headed to Qing Ping Market. Travel logue writers Tooker Gomberg and Angela Bischoff capture best the 'adventure' I wanted to take Brent, Ian, and Hannah on. Previously I had read about the market area of this city. I didn't want to be in this part of the world and miss it. Here's an excerpt of what we found. Gomber & Bischoff's article is so good & their description so perfectly on target that I'd like to cut and paste a portion of it for you to see!!! They say what I would want you to know!!! Boy, there sure are a lot of ways to live. I'll then paste some photos of the day on this entry and another!!! Enjoy!

"It was heart wrenching to roam through the Qing Ping Market in Guangzhou (Canton). It was packed with live animals awaiting slaughter some for sustenance, others for alleged medicinal power. Sixty year old turtles would be boiled for their shells and stomachs. Dishevelled cats, cuddly rabbits, various birds, snakes, and beetles awaited their fate. Guangzhou people have a reputation of "daring to eat anything".
It was a vegetarian's nightmare. Deer penises supposedly increase male sexual stamina. Sliced antlers rejuvenate blood. Frog fat beautifies women's' skin. Dried centipedes increase longevity, snake wine helps arthritis, and a special bee cures cancer.
What really turned our stomachs was to see tiger's paws, rhinoceros horns on sale as "traditional medicines". This is highly illegal, and perhaps our presence encouraged the police to show up. For an instant the vendors packed up their wares, which included bear gall bladders. As soon as the cops backs were turned, the goods were back on display."

You've Come a Long Way BABY!

If this picture could talk, the translation would be : You've Come a Long Way BABY!

Indeed, she has. I don't know about you but when I recall past events, I remember them in snapshot form; moments of time relived in the privacy of my inner being. With Hannah Mei, I understand this past week best when I consider the CONTRASTS.

Those once sad downcast eyes which looked away now CONNECT with mine

That rigid spine that pulled away from our touch DRAWS near

A face that showed no life RESPONDS

A voice that made no sound CRIES, JABBERS, and CRIES-ha!

A little gal who only ate rice porridge SAMPLES new tastes & textures-she still hoards food in those cheeks but we're making progress

A neck and face that strained to keep AWAY from me SQUISHES against mine. (having slobber and sticky fingers all over me never felt so good)

These are the moments I remember---for me they are powerful moments I anchor to Hannah and their deepest meaning is found in their contrasts. WOW, she's amazing and I am humbled that God has helped her/me/us come this far.

Very soon after we had 'gotten' Hannah & came back to the hotel, I had a conversation w/ a staff lady who sells tea in one of the gift shops. I recall how my heart dropped when she asked, "WHY BABY SO SAD?"

How do you answer that properly? How do you not panic at the implications of what the answer might be?

We had exchanged courtesies during our stay so she wasn't a complete stranger. Plus, I had been told that the Chinese ask intimate questions (I always have those kinds of questions myself so I did think...hmm, fancy meeting the Chinese version of me. Do you ever notice how you meet someone like yourself when you least want to? ha!). I explained to her that Hannah had lived for almost 16 months in an orphanage. I devulged that our guide said that it is very likely that she spent maybe even 20 + hours in a crib or in a chair each day. "She needs time", I said. Even in my response ( I can admit now ) I held a secret concern in my own heart wondering....oh, my....what if this little lamb never responds. Those aren't the kinds of fears you share w/ a stranger. You carry those in your heart---then you (or in my case I) pray that God would bring out the Hannah he intends her to be & that I'd be given the inner strength & grace necessary if she never developed as my heart would most longed for. I can share that with you now that 7 days have past since we first got her. I did pray those kinds of words. Yes, I was afraid.

BACK TO THE POINT ....I had been teaching Hannah to wave bye-bye to staff here as we exited the building. You can only imagine how very proud I was when Hannah waved 'bye bye' to this gal. I wanted her to see that Hannah wasn't some lifeless nothing---she's a very much a wanted little girl. I said, "See, she's coming along". The lady smiled.

You might wonder, how does Hannah respond to strangers? I'm pleased to say that she responds with the same hesitancy that she once did with us. You might wonder why I would be pleased. The guide explained that we will identify that progress has been made if Hannah begins to distinguish us from the rest of humanity. I am not a child development expert by any stretch of the imagination BUT what has been very helpful is to hear the guides and the experienced adoptive parents explain that you do not want the child to connect equally w/ everyone nor do you want them to charm all they meet. Instead, you want what we see happening right now. I share that so that when you meet Hannah Mei (especially grandparents, aunts & uncles, cousins) you not 'feel' rejection if she is hesitant to embrace you at first.

Today we must stay in our rooms from 10 a.m. onwards until we get our calls regarding interviews at the consulate. We are on the home strech now.

(By the way, we have experienced no impact from the earthquake. Though some in our group may have come from that province recently. I am not sure but will find out today at breakfast.)

Again, thanks for all of the kind emails sent. The support you've given on this journey has been so helpful. We've hung on every word sent...so, keep em' coming. We'll be home in a few days.

Medical Examination on Shamian Island

We were on the bus at 9:30 and headed over to Shamian Island where the medical examinations for all of the kids took place. Hannah Mei was quite the trooper. There were three components to the exam--all necessary for the kids to get visas to leave the country. She was given a clean bill of health. Our guides said not to take the exams too seriously as it is really just a very, very basic check up. They weighed her, measured her head circumference, and checked her height. They translated the vaccination records for those that had not been translated in the provinces where the various families had been. Hannah had her hearing checked. The dr. said that there was no infection but she said I should clean the wax out of the right ear. I didn't want to tell her that I'm always afraid to do that with little kids. Anyway, I'll leave that for KIDZDOCS in Virginia! ha!

They listened to her heart & checked her temperature. Again, these were all very basic checks but I thought it was fun to watch her watch them. Oh, Hannah does have a rather large black and blue spot on her back & buttocks. For those of you who don't know, many kids from Asia have what we would consider to be a bruised looking blemish on their buttocks....sometimes it goes down the legs. I actually don't know why such a thing exists on Asian children.

Anyway, it's called the "Mongolian Spot". I would send you a photo of it but I don't want people who might be looking at this blog to think I am 'weird' or something sending such photos into cyberspace....so, you'll just have to google search it if you are curious.

What I didn't know is that there can be multiple ones. In her case she has a perfectly round circle above the buttocks about the size of 2 quarters. Her actual lower back and buttocks are really a black/blue color. It really does look like a bruise. For Asian parents they think nothing of it & are quite shocked that Caucasian children don't have this mark. I have been told by the parents here who have previously adopted that in the States if you have your child in day care or some kind of babysitter watch the child you need to make certain that they understand that your child has the Mongolian spot lest they think you are abusing your child. If you saw it and you didn't know such a thing existed, you might suspect she had been harmed in some way. It's that noticeable. I asked the dr. if it was normal to have two like she has. Answer- YES!

Hannah doesn't have much of a gag reflex like her 'mommy' and brother Ian have. She opened her mouth wide during the examination & didn't make a peep. It was Ian who was most horrified when the doctor at one point was teasing him and wanted check his vitals! ha! Ian was like NO WAY! ha-ha! Several of the kids in the office were really scared. Some were crying. I asked Ian what we could say to Hannah so she would have a good time w/ the dr. and not be afraid. I heard him tell her to 'Be a good girl and don't be scared baby Hannah!'....so cute.
All in all the medical people were very nice and now I can say that this last hoop prior to getting our visas is over!! Yippee for that!

Weighing Hannah Mei. I was so nervous for her I didn't actually listen to what they said she weighed. I know, I know you are thinking......DUH! ha-ha! I will get the report later tonight & I can check then. Plus, I think they weighed her in kilos anyway so it wouldn't mean that much to me.

Guangzhou Folk Museum (entry # 2 for today)

The museum had the most wonderful interactive area of children. One of the learning stations had an embroidery board. This young gal practiced her English with me. She wised me a wonderful visit to China.
This grandfather with his granddaughter in the learning center posed for a photo.
Handcrafts are abundant in the museum. I believe these are carved from bone.
This is a little tea shop in the Folk Museum. I love to go to historic places where the staff dress up in the time period of the place being studied. The ladies in this shop were selling tea and handicrafts. Their silk blouses were so lovely.
Tea, anyone?

Guangzhou Folk Museum

Today we toured the Guangzhou Folk Museum. Brent was kind enough to watch the kids while I enjoyed the 'audio tour'. Seeing the architecture, the hanging red lanterns, the sculpted trees, and ornately carved doors & furnitures was like walking back into time. Every corner you turn opens a new world. I think you could stay in China for years and never fully grasp the magnitude of its history.

In the Folk Museum you can see local ceramics, embroidery and carving.

These are replicas of rooms from older times.
The museum housed numerous ornate fans.
Replica of pen set.

What an incredible bedroom set!

Mother's Day (entry #3 for today!)

Don't forget, if you want to enlarge a photo in the blog simply click on it. It should enlarge.

Some of you might be curious as to whether Hannah Mei has a Chinese or American passport. Answer = Chinese. For all intents and purposes Hannah Mei Steury isn't Hannah Mei for the United States Government. She is, instead Sui Jia Mei.

How do we go about getting her U.S. citizenship you ask, NO IDEA. Honestly, I really don't know. The fact that she is a Chinese passport holder is something of a surprise to me. I guess I should not have been shocked...I mean, she is a Chinese citizen. I guess I just presumed that when she was adopted she would immediately become a U.S. citizen. Apparently, this is a process she must go through like anyone else. Ugh! I think that means more paperwork.

As I understand it, she gets a visa to be allowed to enter the U.S.A. Then after in the States, we start the application for her citizenship.